a journey through our dvd shelves

The Matrix Revolutions (2003)

Ben
I hated this film when I first saw it. I had not watched it again since it was released in theatres, the only reason I own this movie was so I could complete The Matrix trilogy. I hate that this film, and to a lesser extent the second film, exist because they taint the terrific original film somewhat. I can’t watch that first movie now without thinking about these average sequels, and it detracts from my viewing experience.

So the third Matrix film opens with the city of Zion preparing for an upcoming machine invasion. Neo (Keanu Reeves) had tried to stop it in the last film, but decided to save Trinity’s (Carrie Anne Moss) life instead. Neo has also discovered he can use his powers in the real world too, and sets out to the machine capital city to try and prevent them from invading Zion. Fight scenes happen, but they’re nowhere near as cool as the first two films because they are happening in the real world and not the Matrix. I can’t remember what Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) is doing, but I remember seeing him in this film too.

This film is such a mess. It makes the mistake of trying to explain the Matrix to the audience. I’m not sure we needed an explanation about why it is here, and then we hear about some weird story of how the Matrix has existed six times before this current version, with each time the humans are losing and the Matrix is rebooted. Which is almost what happens here, Neo talks to the machines and gets rid of the rogue Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and in return, the humans win, but the Matrix is still rebooted. There is some talk that machines and humans will coexist in this version, but by that time I had lost interest in what is a very convoluted and overly complicated way to end a summer blockbuster.

I hate this film, outside of some cool exoskeleton army suits that are used by humans on Zion, there is nothing I enjoyed about this film. Reeves is average and Fishburne is not in it enough.

Rating: F

Sally
I am not ashamed to say that I don’t get The Matrix Revolutions. Maybe it’s because I never really cared about these sequels to begin with. If I didn’t care to see Neo fighting the machines, then I sure as hell didn’t need to have the Matrix itself explained to me. So about the point where Neo’s “oneness” is dissected is where I switch off.

The Matrix Revolutions goes too deep into the world it’s created. This all started in Reloaded, with the introduction of several Matrix programs that work with and against Neo and company. The Merovingian, the Keymaker, the Architect… they all play some part in an ongoing cycle meant to keep the Matrix stable and the humans living outside of it safely contained. However, thanks to Agent Smith, who has gone rogue, the entire system is in jeopardy.

My biggest issue is that the plot is very convoluted and boring. I could have done without all the “this is the reason for the Matrix” stuff. I get that the Wachowskis were making a philosophical film, but ugh. They went too far with it this time. It’s overdone, drawn out, and leads to a dissatisfying ending.

Despite liking this movie the least of the three, there are some cool moments. As mentioned in my previous review, Agent Smith has figured out how to occupy a flesh and bones body. He and Neo have real life confrontation that is full of the tension and danger that their digital meetings lacked. That said, these two meet one last time in the Matrix, and the result is pretty epic.

In the end, The Matrix Revolutions is disappointing. Neo brokers peace with the machines… or does he? I have no idea what’s going on, but it seems like the machines win. The only thing I know for certain is that the audience loses.